Mar 22, 2010 - Sybase, Inc., an industry leader in enterprise and mobile software, today announced advanced spatial data functionality as part of the next release of its SQL Anywhere(R) database and synchronization solution.

This release makes Sybase the first vendor to enable development of data-driven spatial applications for leading smartphone devices and synchronize the on-device spatial data with spatial databases, application servers and enterprise systems.

By leveraging these new capabilities, organizations in key markets such as utilities, telecommunications, manufacturing and government are able to provide field workers with access to detailed spatial information combined with business critical data in a robust and scalable way.

"We expect the Spatial Information Management market to continue to grow at a healthy, compound annual rate over the next several years," says David Sonnen, IDC's consultant for Spatial Information Management. "Spatially-enabled Sybase SQL Anywhere addresses the occasionally-connected environment gap that exists in the spatial market today."

SQL Anywhere is a long standing leader in providing data management and synchronization technologies designed to operate in mobile and embedded environments without regular on-site IT maintenance. The many new spatial data support capabilities include:

-- Support for OGC and SQLMM standards for spatial data types and APIs

-- Native import for shape files and built in functions to export to KML, GML and SVG formats

-- Use of spatial data on all of the platforms supported by SQL Anywhere, from Linux, Unix, Mac OS, Windows, BlackBerry, iPhone and Windows Mobile

-- Bi-directional synchronization of spatial and standard data between field worker and many popular enterprise systems

"Sybase is pleased to work with industry leaders such as ESRI to expand its enterprise mobility leadership and revolutionize the mobile experience for field workers in emerging, high-growth markets such as geo-spatial," said Mike Paola, director, product management, Sybase. "The innovative approach taken by SQL Anywhere in synchronizing geo-spatial information with enterprise systems demonstrates its continued leadership of enabling enterprise data outside the traditional data center."

To see a preview of the next major release of SQL Anywhere, available the second half of 2010, and to learn more about the new spatial functionality, visit Sybase booth #410 at the ESRI Worldwide Business Partner Conference in Palm Springs, Calif., on March 21-23, 2010 or apply to participate in the beta program at www.sybase.com/sqlanywhere.

About SQL Anywhere

SQL Anywhere database and synchronization servers and design and data management tools are optimized for a wide range of applications that operate outside the traditional data center. More than 10,000 customers and 1,000 partners have deployed over 10 million seats of SQL Anywhere in server, mobile and ISV applications. For more information about SQL Anywhere, visit http://www.sybase.com/sqlanywhere.

About Sybase

Sybase is an industry leader in delivering enterprise and mobile software to manage, analyze and mobilize information. We are recognized globally as a performance leader, proven in the most data-intensive industries and across all major systems, networks and devices. Our information management, analytics and enterprise mobility solutions have powered the world's most mission-critical systems in financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing and government. For more information, visit http://www.sybase.com. Read Sybase blogs: http://blogs.sybase.com.

Sybase and SQL Anywhere are registered trademarks of Sybase, Inc. All other company and product names mentioned may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

ESRI is a trademark, registered trademark, or service mark of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

Special Note: Statements concerning Sybase's future growth, prospects and new product releases are, by nature, forward-looking statements that involve a number of uncertainties and risks, and cannot be guaranteed. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will" and similar expressions relating to Sybase and its management may identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are intended to reflect Sybase's current views with respect to future events and may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include shifts in customer demand, rapid technology changes, competitive factors and unanticipated delays in scheduled product availability. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Sybase's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (copies of which can be viewed on Sybase's Web site).

...which could be July 1st :)... seriously, I'm digging through the spatial stuff, it gets it's own "book" in the Help... now I know what people mean when they talk about "the 800 pound gorilla in the room", spatial is that big.